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DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1387999
Effects of the menstrual cycle on the endothelial glycocalyx (EGX) and leucocyte function
Introduction: The endothelial glycocalyx is pivotal for a healthy vascular barrier. Recent data showed an increase of glycocalyx components in the circulating blood during normal pregnancy and HELLP-syndrome. We investigated, if there is a change in the integrity of the glycocalyx during normal menstrual cycle, which could explain premenstrual edemas.
Materials and methods: This study includes 21 healthy females having a normal menstrual cycle. 10 males and 6 postmenopausal volunteers served as controls. In the follicular phase (cycle day 3 – 4), ovulation (urinary LH-peak), and luteal phase (8 days after urinary LH-Peak) serum concentrations of three glycocalyx components (syndecan-1, heparan sulfate, hyaluronic acid), estrogen, progesterone and luteinizing hormone were measured and compared with controls. Leucocyte function was analyzed by flowcytometry. TNF-alpha/fMLP and PMA-induced production of hydrogenperoxide was measured in isoated granulocytes by using fluorescence spectroscopy.
Results: During normal menstrual cycles, syndecan-1 increased from 11.1 ± 2.4 ng/ml at ovulation to 12.6 ± 2.3 ng/ml (mid luteal) and heparan sulfate from 636 ± 45 ng/ml to 751 ± 60 ng/ml (p < 0.05, respectively). In the controls there were no changes for syndecan-1 and heparan sulfate. Leucocyte function significantly changed during menstrual cycle, as hydrogen peroxide production increased (150 ± 18 fluorescence intensity in early follicular phase vs. 195 ± 16 in the mid luteal phase; p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Our study shows for the first time, that the vascular barrier as well as leucocyte function is altered during the menstrual cycle. These findings might have profound consequences for the understanding of effects of sexual steroids on vascular system as well as leucocyte function.
The first two and last two authors contributed equally in